Tabby Ruins
Collection by Barbara Stevenson
The coastline from North Florida to South Carolina is scattered with historic ruins built of tabby, a concrete made of oyster shells. Originally covered with stucco, most of these ruins are now exposed oyster concrete. I hope to visit all these ruins.
Fort Frederica National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Fort Frederica National Monument
Stoney-Baynard Ruins in Hilton Head Island, SC. The remnants of a tabby plantation house, two slave cabins, and kitchen chimney constructed about 1790 are located in Baynard Park in Sea Pines Plantation, which costs $6 to enter. (Photo by Cheryl Warren)
Riverside Plantation Tabby Ruin
Riverside Plantation Tabby Ruin
Originally constructed in 1724, St. Helena's Episcopal Church in Beaufort, SC, and many of its gravesites are surrounded by tabby walls. (Photo by Cheryl Warren)
Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Yemassee, SC. This ruin is more brick than tabby, but it is an attractive site popular for weddings. (Photo by Cheryl Warren)
Beaufort County Library
The Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve is located on the grounds of the Naval Hospital in Port Royal, SC. Dating from 1734, the fort is one of the earliest British tabby constructions. The preserve is currently closed so that the tabby ruins can be stabilized. (Photo from Beaufort County Library)
The Sams Plantation Complex, the most complete tabby plantation in existence, is adjacent to the tennis center on Dataw Island, SC. The island is a private, gated community closed to the public. (Photo by Bill Hill)
Chapel Of Ease Ruins
Built in 1740, Chapel Of Ease on St. Helena's Island, SC, is a rare example of a tabby church.
SC Sea Islands - Our Historic Past
Tabby slave cabin ruins are located in the private Haig Point district on Daufuskie Island, SC, which can only be accessed by ferry.
Tabby
Old Tabby Links in Spring Island, SC, is a golf course adjacent to tabby ruins. Only members are allowed on the island.
Tabby! She’s no Alley Cat
Pigs and barbeque and the new rock star butchers in Charleston have been on my mind for the last few days, so this well preserved smokehouse outbuilding, on Botany Bay Plantation, conjured images o…